Despite checkpoints set up by the NYPD and an early scheduled end to the West Indian Day parade down Eastern Parkway, the Caribbean cultural festivities were still marred by a string of violent incidents that have become commonplace in previous celebrations.
Police said four people were left injured before dawn in a massive brawl at around 5:45 a.m. on Sept. 7 at the corner of Carroll Street and Utica Avenue in Crown Heights, just 30 minutes before J’Ouvert celebrations were scheduled to get underway.
A 36-year-old man suffered a puncture wound to his face, while a 32-year-old and a 23-year-old were stabbed in the neck. All three were rushed to Kings County Hospital, where the 32-year-old was originally listed in critical condition; however, police said Tuesday that all three victims are now in stable condition.
Another victim, a 20-year-old man with a slash wound to the chin, was also injured and made his own way to Kings County Hospital, where he is expected to recover.
No arrests have been made in this case.
Brooklyn’s J’Ouvert and West Indian American Day parades kicked off in bloody fashion early Monday morning after four people were stabbed, leaving one fighting for his life.Photo by Dean Moses
Cops say another stabbing occurred around 6 a.m. Monday on Eastern Parkway and Nostrand Avenue. This time a 25-year-old man was slashed across his face. He was rushed to Interfaith Medical Center by private means and is listed in stable condition.
No arrests have been made.
Then, just after 4 p.m. Monday, police reported that a 24-year-old man was shot in front of 800 Nostrand Ave., near the parade route. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was rushed to Kings County Hospital by EMS in stable condition.
A person was taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered. Police say 19-year-old Nayshawn Wilkinson was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal possession of a weapon.
Just five minutes later, two more people were shot at 4:07 p.m. Monday on Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue. A 37-year-old woman was struck by a bullet in the leg while a 19-year-old man was grazed in both of his legs. They were both whisked to Kings County Hospital in stable condition.
No arrests have been made.
Brooklyn’s J’Ouvert and West Indian American Day parades kicked off in bloody fashion early Monday morning after four people were stabbed, leaving one fighting for his life.Photo by Dean Moses
Lastly, a 32-year-old man was attacked with a knife at 5:36 p.m. He was stabbed in the left leg and rushed to Kings County Hospital in stable condition.
This comes after Tisch said last week that police would be ending the festivities a half-hour earlier than usual in hopes of curbing the bloodshed. The celebrations of Caribbean New Yorkers have become notoriously dangerous over the years, due to an influx of violence in and around the parade.
“Over the past two years, we have seen shootings on and around the parade route, endangering innocent people and overshadowing this incredible tradition,” Tisch said on Friday regarding the early conclusion. “That end time is deliberate, given the history of violence we have seen on and around the parade route at that hour and later.”
In 2025, six people were shot around the parade, causing police to end the parade early.